The A. Lietz Co. Manufacturers of Scientific Instruments.

San Francisco: A. Lietz Co., [ca. 1895]. Broadside (28” x 22”), 10 mounted photographs (approx. 5” x 4” to 8” x 6”).

Based in San Francisco, A. Lietz Co. created instruments for the civil, mining, irrigation, hydraulic, mechanical and military engineers, as well as nautical, astronomical and philosophical instruments. This broadside includes ten images, nine of which show examples of the instruments Lietz manufactured. Two images at the center are captioned ‘Salesroom and Workshop’ and ‘Graduating and Adjusting Room.’ Seen in both images are instruments such as binoculars, globes and tripods. One image shows the exterior of the company’s building, located on Sacramento St. The company’s five directors are listed.

Born in Germany, Adolph Lietz immigrated to San Francisco in 1879 and worked in a number of scientific instrument shops before starting his own business in 1882 when he purchased the business of Carl Rahsskopff. Lietz joined forces with Conrad Weinmann and operated under the name of A. Lietz & Co. The firm incorporated in 1892 as A. Lietz Company—Weinmann likely having left around that time. In 1947, after over fifty years of production, the firm discontinued the manufacturing instruments and became an importer and distributor.

REFERENCES: Uzes, Francois. A. Lietz Co. History at surveyhistory.org

CONDITION: Losses and damp-staining to margins; two lower photos stained at bottom edge.